New life for a 1912 gas pump!

[4shorts]

Ok guys here's another project to bore the heck out of you all.

I found this old "Blind Pig" gas pump about four years ago in an old run down building. The old pump dates back to 1912. The first time I seen it I really didn't like it but figured it would be a crime not to try and do something with it so I dragged it home and believe me when I say that this puppy is heavy.
The body was rusted out so I stripped it all down to the bare bones and started in. I made all the metal panels out of 1/8 plated and rolled it. Some of the cast iron parts were cracked and I welded them up again. The knobs, leavers and a few doors were missing so I fabricated the doors and machined all the new leavers and knobs. After a fresh flick of paint and some decals I made an island that I pre-wired and placed the old pump on it where it is to this very day just outside my shop. Just think, This pump was pumping gas when the Titanic sank. Hope you like the finished product. Paul

[ronj]

Amazing! Bet it didn't look that good when it was new. Great job.

[Arc_It]

Originally Posted by 4shorts

[color="Blue"]I stripped it all down to the bare bones and started in.

Nothing boring about this project! The final product looks great. I am curios how you "strip the metal down to the bare bones". I find some of the antiques I have come across are so rusted I have a terrible time getting to down to bare metal especially in small nooks and areas an angle grinder or other tool can't reach. Do you use a sandblaster? I have heard they have a tendency to pit the metal and hurt the final finish. What do you find works best?

[zapster]

you have profound talent in restoration my friend

i like it

...zap!

[scott brunsdon]

Amazing.
The collection of skills you would need to do something like that is staggering.
Hope it's well secured to that island.
Scott

[Cushman_Larry]

That looks fabulous! I only wish that I had that kind of skill. Would love to see the rest of your shop sometime.

[4shorts]

Originally Posted by Arc_It

Nothing boring about this project! The final product looks great. I am curios how you "strip the metal down to the bare bones". I find some of the antiques I have come across are so rusted I have a terrible time getting to down to bare metal especially in small nooks and areas an angle grinder or other tool can't reach. Do you use a sandblaster? I have heard they have a tendency to pit the metal and hurt the final finish. What do you find works best?

Thanks everyone for the compliments on the old gas pump. I'm humbled that you enjoyed seeing it. Although this type of work is just a hobby for me it sure helps me tune any skills I may have left in me. Seems we all get the best ideas in desperate situations. I have many projects completed here that involves fabrication, welding, machining and painting with 90% of them never being shown before on the net. One of the main reasons I wanted to show it here is because this is a fantastic site that encourages this sort of thing and it causing folks to ask questions which enables all of us to lean.
Arc_It you asked about metal preparation. Well I use two types of sand blasters. One is a cabinet blaster that has a recycling system in it. As I use the media in the cabinet the system removes the unusable media and let's the useable media back to the nozzle. In that cabinet I use Aluminum Oxide. It keeps it's edge much longer than glass bead media. Although it's more expensive it lasts much longer than the glass beads. The cabinet blaster is used for the smaller items I need to be blast.

The other blaster I use is a pressure blaster. It's used for the big stuff that can't go into the cabinet blaster. Always used out doors I use Silica sand in it's a great machine that cleans the metal to the bare bones. Arc_It you mentioned about the condition of the metal after the blasting. Well all of these media sands come in different grades. For the real thin metal I use double 0 and turn the pressure down. I also keep my nozzle on an angle to prevent and excessive heat build up that will cause warpage. When used properly sandblasters are a very valuable tool for fabrication work. One that I could never do with out plus if used the right way the sand will etch the metal just enough to help the primer stick.

As I mentioned above. I hope I'm not boring anyone with this stuff. I just hope it helps others with any projects they may be considering. Next week I'll post a whole new completed project that I'm sure some will enjoy seeing. If you have any question feel free to ask them because that's what all of this is about.

Foot note: The last blaster in the picture was built out of a propane tank. The pressure blaster was designed by my brother Ron and I have used it for years with no problems. It's a great design and a proven design. Maybe I'll post some pics on that at a later date if anyone is interested in building one. One thing to remember and a very important thing and that is to always wear protection while sandblasting such as body and respiratory protection.

[Arc_It]

Thanks for the info '4shorts'. Your pressure blaster is a 20lb? What size of air compressor do you use? I have tried one of those gun style siphon blasters with a small 2Hp and it was certainly underpowered.

[4shorts]

Originally Posted by Arc_It

Thanks for the info '4shorts'. Your pressure blaster is a 20lb? What size of air compressor do you use? I have tried one of those gun style siphon blasters with a small 2Hp and it was certainly underpowered.

The compressor I use is a 5 HP with a 60 gallon tank and the home made pressure blaster takes 200 lbs of sand when empty. The pressure blaster uses very little air with a 1/8 tip but the cabinet blaster uses allot of air with it's 5/16 tip. The smaller the tip the less air used but with the small tip it sure is sloooow going. Paul

[fwalz3]

Great looking pump, paint looks a bit like Coca-Cola red. BTW your stuff is definitely not boring, keep sending them in, they're very motivating!!!

[Snidley]

Let me sum it up in a word - outstanding.

[Rich59]

I love those old gas pumps. You did a great job, it's way beyond anything I have ever even considered tackling.

I am particularly fond of the Shell color scheme as I worked for them for 37 years and now get a pension that lets me hang around the house and weld.

Keep the pictures coming it will inspire the rest of us to step up and try something more complex.

[welder.man]

Great work 4shorts.


Simon
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~abba/index.html

[MicroZone]

Indeed - great work !

[jniolon]

4shorts,

very nice work... here's one of my stalled projects... a Gilbarco 960... circa 1950... all it likes is paint and decals.... going with Dino Supreme

john

[jwilson]

As usual Paul....Beautiful work!!! Please keep them coming.

[4shorts]

Originally Posted by jniolon

4shorts,

very nice work... here's one of my stalled projects... a Gilbarco 960... circa 1950... all it likes is paint and decals.... going with Dino Supreme

john

Oh John your going to have to get at that one. I really like the colors with the Dino pumps. Pump looks in good shape and should be a real nice project. Be sure to post some pics when you get'er done. Have a great day, Paul

[fireblade]

You did an amazing job It also triggers me to do a project like that someday

[wello]

beautifull work 4shorts

I love that here at my place if my wife would let me

[Bruce]

Nice work 4shorts!
http://www.powerwagonadvertiser.com/...ead.php?t=4417

[4shorts]

Thanks guys for all your kind words and encouragement. It's very nice to receive a compliment on a project but when it comes from folks like yourselves that are into welding and fabricating it feels more legitimate and means extra special.

I've got some other "Unique" projects completed here that I'll post at a later date. Nothing worst than someone hogging the site.

I'm sure I can speak for all Canadian and wish all of our American neighbors and happy Memorial Day. Our prayers and thoughts are with the brave men and women fighting over in Iraq and around the world. Paul

PS. Thanks Bruce for the link to the pictures. It was a real treat to see them!

[Bruce]

That's what neighbors are supposed to do isn't it? <LOL>
Regards 2 All Vets, Here & Around the World,

[Weldordie]

Great work! Your work exemplifies what a talented chap can produce, given he has the tools to play with. I, especially, enjoyed the photo of you sandblasting outside in July. :-)

[comp]

nice work

[RichardWDF]

That's a fine bit of restoration, 4Shorts, and I'd like to talk to you more about it and the pressure blaster you and your brother built (especially like the picture of you pressure blasting out in the Canadian snow). Would you please contact me off this board, at rmandel@penton.com?